General Program Features
Alumni have cited the following as desirable features of club programs:
- Co-hosting an event with the local UNC General Alumni Association's club
- Co-hosting an event with other local business school alumni clubs
- Intellectual stimulation – exposure to stimulating, practical new ideas and a chance to discuss with fellow alumni and guest speakers (e.g., faculty or local business people)
- Opportunity to establish business connections
- Social Contacts – renewing old friendships and making new ones. This is particularly important for younger alumni and new arrivals to the area
- Programs with a range of costs
Specific Event Ideas
Social Gatherings
- Annual Dinner - consider a tradition of honoring a local alumnus
- Reception or dinner with a guest speaker
- Welcome reception for new students or new graduates
- Breakfast, lunch or dinner roundtables – held at regular intervals
- Wine tasting - wine shop owners are fond of events like these that help increase their customer base and are usually willing to offer discounts on purchases made that evening
- Tours of local attractions
- "Behind the Scene" tours - an inside contact may provide access to areas or times not open to the general public. Events range from zoos and museums to "hard hat" tours of buildings
- Monthly social gatherings at a local bar or restaurant – bar/restaurant of the month
- Golf or tennis tournaments
Enrichment/Continuing Education
- Career services event led by John Worth - Director of Alumni and Executive MBA Career Services
- Career Day program featuring alumni speakers
- Mentor current KFBS students about careers and career opportunities
- Assist with interviewing prospective candidates for MBA programs
- Hold an event featuring a faculty member from KFBS - contact Alumni Affairs at 919.962.3596 to discuss
- Local speaker who can speak on current business issue or business trend
- Invite faculty member from local college or university to present a program of interest
- Invite alumni to present topics such as tax reform, investment strategies, home buying, etc.
Family Events
- BBQ picnic with games and events for children and adults
- Group tickets to local athletic events
- Tours of zoos, museums, etc
- Nature walk or bike ride and picnic with families
Athletic Events
- Big game viewing party at local bar or local alumni's house
- Social before a UNC athletic event in your area
Community Service Events
- Volunteer as a group for organizations such as Junior Achievement
- Across the country Habitat for Humanity build day
- Walk, run or bike events to raise money for a charity
- Consider contacting a local or national community service clearinghouse to identify opportunities in your area:
- Areas of service to consider:
- Education - Adopt-A-School, Literacy, Mentorship, Shadowing Programs, Tutoring
- Environment - National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, Defenders of Wildlife, Sierra Club, Adopt-A-Highway
- Health - Blood Drives, Fundraisers for local children's hospitals, Ronald McDonald House
- Homelessness and Hunger - Habitat for Humanity, Local Food Banks, Food Drives, Soup Kitchens
- Miscellaneous - Caroling, Crisis Lines, Shelters, Special Olympics, Meals on Wheels, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs